Improvement in barbed wire for fences



J. BROTHERTON. Barbed-Wire for Fence.

No. 207,710. Patented Sept. 3, 1878.

I v g INVENTOZq/ll N.FETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB BROTHERTON, OF AMES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO A. DILLMAN, OF J OLIET,

ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BARBED WIRE FOR FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,710, dated September 3, 1878; application filed November 13, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB BROTHERTON, of Ames, in the county of Story and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Barbed Wire for Fences, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to so fasten a barb upon double fence-wire as to prevent the barb from slipping or turning thereon, and at the same time to bind the wires together in such manner that the same can never become separated but to a short distance in case either be broken.

My invention consists in a barb made of a single piece of wire, and fastened to a double fence-wire by inserting a portion of the barb between them, and wrapping a part of the remainder around both wires, leaving the ends of the barb extending in opposite directions,- and of about equal length.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 shows .a section of fence-wire with barb attached, and Fig. 2 a view of the barb in the line in which the wires pass through it.

a a are the two strands composing the fencewire. Between these the end of the barb c is inserted to about one-third the length of the whole piece. The longer portion is then wrapped tightly about both wires, drawing them nearly together, and holding firmly the end of the barb interposed between them. WVhile this part of the barb serves to hold the wires apart, the tendency of tightly winding another portion around them is to compress them at a point very near where the barb passes through. This produces a slight curvature in the wires, which effectual] y prevents the barb from slippingin eitherdirection,even though it should by any accidert become loose. Its effect is, further, to keep the strands together under all circumstances. The ends 0 of the barb will extend in opposite or different directions, and they may be pointed.

Should either wire be broken no harm can result to the fence, as the two can fall apart only to the barb nearest the fracture. In no case can the barb become detached or rendered useless by such breaking,it being attached to both wires, and not to one only, as in many of the fences now in use. The liability which exists where the latter fence-wire is used of the strand upon which the barb is fastened break ing and unwinding or otherwise separating from the other, leaving a considerable distance of smooth wire, which affords no protection against stock, is by this means effectually obviated.

Having thus briefly described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The barb made of a piece of wire, pointed at both ends, and fastened to double fencewire by inserting one end between the same, and wrapping a portion of the remainder around both, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, witness my hand this 12th day of October, A. I). 1877.

JACOB BROTHERTON.

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